The Woodland Food Closet is ramping up its efforts to combat food insecurity as the end of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits looms. On Saturday, November 4, 2023, the Food Closet received donations from community members while responding to an increasing number of individuals seeking assistance. One man approached the facility hoping to find food but was turned away, underscoring the urgent need for resources in Yolo County.
During a three-hour donation event, staff collected food as part of a weeklong initiative to prepare for the anticipated end of SNAP benefits. On Friday, November 3, approximately 500 pounds of food was delivered to the Food Closet, with expectations to receive more than double that amount on Saturday, marking the conclusion of the benefits program.
Executive Director Tania Garcia-Cadena, who also serves as a city councilwoman, noted a dramatic surge in requests for food assistance. Over the past few weeks, the demand has skyrocketed from around 20 to 30 individuals per week to as many as 80. “We used to see about 185 people a month,” Garcia-Cadena stated. “Now, we’re serving about 1,000.”
The Food Closet’s outreach effort began last Monday, as uncertainty surrounding a federal government shutdown persisted. This initiative aligns with a coordinated countywide effort to provide support for those in need. On November 3, two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration must continue funding SNAP during the shutdown, just before the Department of Agriculture was set to halt payments to the program. However, there has been no immediate confirmation regarding the resumption of benefits.
SNAP is crucial for approximately 42 million Americans, serving one in eight citizens and providing essential grocery assistance. The recent announcement of a potential freeze raised concerns among states, food banks, and recipients. In response, some states, including California, have initiated funds to sustain the program.
As of September, Yolo County’s CalFresh Program, California’s version of SNAP, distributed $5.6 million in benefits to 18,759 households, helping 27,622 eligible individuals. Following the official end of benefits, county health and human services officials have collaborated with the Yolo Food Bank and UC Davis Basic Needs to enhance food resource availability.
The Yolo Food Bank is expanding its efforts to ensure residents have continued access to food and essential resources. As part of this initiative, the Food Bank will deliver food to the UC Davis Basic Needs Center on November 8 and 15, where staff will distribute it to students and members of the campus community. Additionally, the Food Bank is increasing food allocations by 20% across its nearly 60 regular distributions, working with 47 other organizations throughout Yolo County.
Emergency food distributions are also planned in Woodland and West Sacramento on November 5, 6, 12, and 13 to support CalFresh recipients. According to the Associated Press, SNAP has been instrumental in providing grocery assistance for over 60 years. Initially known as the food stamp program, it has supported low-income individuals, many of whom are employed but struggle to meet basic living costs.
Eligibility for SNAP is determined by various factors, including family size and income, with most participants being families with children. More than one in three recipients include older adults or individuals with disabilities, and nearly two in five households have at least one employed member. Typically, participants have incomes below the federal poverty line, which is approximately $32,000 for a family of four, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The Agriculture Department reported that nearly 16 million children received SNAP benefits in 2023.
As demand for food assistance continues to rise, organizations like the Woodland Food Closet and Yolo Food Bank are working diligently to address the needs of their communities.
